Theme: The American Identity
President: John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826)
Political Party: Federalist Party
Term Date: March 4, 1797 - March 4, 1801
Vice President: Thomas Jefferson
Overall rating: A
President John Adams followed second in the line of Presidents. Adams and his administration helped in shaping America’s identity even further. For there influence in events such as the XYZ affair, the Quasi-War with France, and the Alien and Sedition Acts, John Adams and his administration earns an “A”. In John Adams’ inauguration address, Adams implied that his main goal as president was to keep the country’s workings as close to the Constitution as possible. Another goal that he had in mind was to do what he thought was best for the new country. For the most part, John Adams did a good job in making sure he reached his goals. Both the goal of doing what he thought was best for his country and the goal of keeping things close to the Constitution were achieved through the actions taken during the Quasi-War with France, the XYZ affair, and the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Relationship between Adams and Congress was interesting. Congress took care of a majority of the domestic policy, whereas Adams took care of a majority of the foreign policy. At the time, the party system was just being developed, so the members of congress could have been from the Federalist party or the Democratic-Republican party. The Congress passed the legislation for the Alien and Sedition Acts, and created the Navy department and the Marine corps. There were no legislations that were vetoed. Furthermore, President Adams influenced the American Identity through his and his administration’s action. The most positive influence came through Adams’ handling of the XYZ affair and the Quasi-War with France. At the time, the French were undergoing a revolution. As Washington did, Adams decided it would be best to stay neutral to these events. He realized that fighting in a war would not be a great idea, and decided to start peaceful negotiations with France. French Prime Minister Maurice de Talleyrand refused to negotiate anything until Adams supplied France with $10 million in loans and a $.25 million personal bribe. Adams refused, and in turn canceled alliance with France. In refusing to support France, President Adams kept America from going to an unnecessary war. However, Adams and his administration had a few negative points, with the worst being the passing of the Alien and Sedition Acts. Together, these two Acts allowed President Adams to detain, quarantine, or remove any suspicious foreigner from the United States without trial. While this may seem to be good, it was used to get rid of political opponents of the Federalists. However, Adams did not initially want to sign these acts, but was pressured into it. Adams rarely deported or detained anyone. Adams and his administration greatly influence the future presidencies and future generations that came after him. During the Quasi-War with France, Adams did not declare war with France. Rather, he asked Congress for extra money, which he used to build up the army and navy. This greatly impacted the future, because not only were the army and navy built up, but the Marine Corps were created. Adams also saved the country from going to an unnecessary war, and it was very likely that the United States would lose that war. In conclusion, after John Adams and his administration left, the United States was better off. Through following President Washington’s example, and with the handling of several affairs, Adams and his administration deserves a grade of an “A”.
President: John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826)
Political Party: Federalist Party
Term Date: March 4, 1797 - March 4, 1801
Vice President: Thomas Jefferson
Overall rating: A
President John Adams followed second in the line of Presidents. Adams and his administration helped in shaping America’s identity even further. For there influence in events such as the XYZ affair, the Quasi-War with France, and the Alien and Sedition Acts, John Adams and his administration earns an “A”.
In John Adams’ inauguration address, Adams implied that his main goal as president was to keep the country’s workings as close to the Constitution as possible. Another goal that he had in mind was to do what he thought was best for the new country. For the most part, John Adams did a good job in making sure he reached his goals. Both the goal of doing what he thought was best for his country and the goal of keeping things close to the Constitution were achieved through the actions taken during the Quasi-War with France, the XYZ affair, and the Alien and Sedition Acts.
The Relationship between Adams and Congress was interesting. Congress took care of a majority of the domestic policy, whereas Adams took care of a majority of the foreign policy. At the time, the party system was just being developed, so the members of congress could have been from the Federalist party or the Democratic-Republican party. The Congress passed the legislation for the Alien and Sedition Acts, and created the Navy department and the Marine corps. There were no legislations that were vetoed.
Furthermore, President Adams influenced the American Identity through his and his administration’s action. The most positive influence came through Adams’ handling of the XYZ affair and the Quasi-War with France. At the time, the French were undergoing a revolution. As Washington did, Adams decided it would be best to stay neutral to these events. He realized that fighting in a war would not be a great idea, and decided to start peaceful negotiations with France. French Prime Minister Maurice de Talleyrand refused to negotiate anything until Adams supplied France with $10 million in loans and a $.25 million personal bribe. Adams refused, and in turn canceled alliance with France. In refusing to support France, President Adams kept America from going to an unnecessary war.
However, Adams and his administration had a few negative points, with the worst being the passing of the Alien and Sedition Acts. Together, these two Acts allowed President Adams to detain, quarantine, or remove any suspicious foreigner from the United States without trial. While this may seem to be good, it was used to get rid of political opponents of the Federalists. However, Adams did not initially want to sign these acts, but was pressured into it. Adams rarely deported or detained anyone.
Adams and his administration greatly influence the future presidencies and future generations that came after him. During the Quasi-War with France, Adams did not declare war with France. Rather, he asked Congress for extra money, which he used to build up the army and navy. This greatly impacted the future, because not only were the army and navy built up, but the Marine Corps were created. Adams also saved the country from going to an unnecessary war, and it was very likely that the United States would lose that war.
In conclusion, after John Adams and his administration left, the United States was better off. Through following President Washington’s example, and with the handling of several affairs, Adams and his administration deserves a grade of an “A”.
Bibliography
"American President: John Adams: Foreign Affairs." Miller Center. Web. 07 Sept. 2011. <http://millercenter.org/president/adams/essays/biography/5>.
"John Adams - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation Inc., n.d. Web. 6 Sept. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Adams>.
Woolley, John T., and Gerhard Peters. "John Adams: Inaugural Address." The American Presidency Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Sept. 2011. <http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=25802#axzz1XJSlLwqB>.